Calling all Burger Lovers: Acting on a tip that it may be the elusive best burger in Seoul, I visited Hongdaes Shake Shake Shake for lunch with the family. Recalling Jon Dunbars review of Cactus Mexican Grill & Pubs burger set for W8500 makes me laugh a little, because S3 serves up a delicious bacon cheeseburger, fries or hash browns (who wants hash browns?), and 12 oz. shake (mine was Oreo) for W8800. S3 is a hole-in-wall shop, with just five stools to sit and eat at the counter and a counter along the wall. The kitchen takes up 2/3 of the space, and accommodates just two staff, who appear to be a young couple starting their own business. I think theyre going to make it: The burger was put together lovingly, and they care enough to whip together a homemade garlic mayonnaise that is an amazing signature topping for the burger, or accompaniment for the fries. The 4 oz. patty, cooked well done, could use a little more seasoning (or maybe some chopped onions or something in the patty), but the grind on the meat was terrific. It was just juicy enough without destroying the bun. (And, unlike some other places in Seoul, no gristle or other tooth breakers waiting for the unsuspecting patron.) Fresh vegetables, and a toasted or grilled bun. We loved it. Best burger in Seoul? No. I think thats still Fire Bell. S3 comes close, though. But is Shake Shake Shake a great deal? Yes. Personally, I think they could raise the price to W9900 or even W10,900 for this combo and STILL be a great deal, given what other places in this market charge for significantly less quality. Being able to accommodate only five tops means they need a higher per-ticket average to make enough profit to move out of the little space they have now. One other point of interest: The wife in this couple looks to be about six months pregnant. If you like a good burger and you want to feel good about where youre spending your hard-earned cash, supporting a new family and family-owned business is the way to go. Where is it? Next to the entrance to Hongik University. If youre coming from the subway, exit through Exit 9 and then turn up onto that main drag going up toward the main gate of the university. At the top of that gentle slope youll hit Wausan-ro; cross over to the other side of the street and go about 100m to your left. They should have a sign out on the sidewalk.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 06:48:25 +0000